Oct 2, 2008 9:47 pm US/Eastern
Super Luxury Condos Opening Despite Economy
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
It is ironic; to say the least, that the week the
nation's economy is faltering, the super luxury
Mandarin Oriental is preparing to open its doors in Boston.
Chief Correspondent Joe Shortsleeve got an exclusive TV tour of the city's most expensive property from the project developer Robin Brown.
A quick tour of the condominiums over
Boylston Street gives a glimpse of how the super rich live.
"A lot of our homes are less formal than you might think -- really driven for families and entertaining," Brown said.
For Robin Brown the
private condominiums on top of the Mandarin Oriental have been more than 10 years in making.
There are, of course, beautiful stone counter tops, stainless steel top-end appliances, shiny hardwoods floors and heated toilet seats that lift up automatically.
There are 49 condominiums, ranging in price from $2 million to $14 million, making them the most expensive in the city's history. Most of the owners will be moving in next week.
For years, the project has existed only as computer animation, but now the massive $300 million development featuring a hotel, apartments, condos, and shops that cater to the richest of the rich is ready to open.
One of the many high-end shops opened Thursday morning, a linen store known as Frette.
Frette CEO Paul Raffin was born in Boston.
"We cater to a connoisseur who really enjoys a more discreet nurturing form of luxury," Raffin explained.
The Mandarin Penthouse condominiums come with private rooftop gardens.
Brown explains, "Twelve of these homes have their own elevator, so from your own kitchen, you go up to your own garden."
"Clearly there is a segment of the population who are not affected by our current economy, rising gas prices, the meltdown in the stock market," said Pat Moscaritolo, the Executive Director of the Boston Visitors Bureau.
Developer Stephen Weiner added, "We were here long before the economic problems, and I am certain we will be here long after."
One of the new unit owners at the Mandarin is auto dealer Herb Chambers. He allowed our camera in.
Brown pointed out the mahogany woodwork in the den and "here we are in Mr. Chambers' bathroom. It is one of our most beautiful bathrooms, all beautiful onyx."
Brown says the Mandarin is good for the city's economy.
"The hotel is going to have 300 full-time jobs, (and) never mind all the restaurants and shops in the project."
A grand opening for the Mandarin is planned for Monday.
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